Ekiti State Government on Monday signed the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2014, to begin the enforcement of the law.
The signing ceremony took place during public presentation of the rules regulations on Tuesday in Ado-Ekiti by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Eniola Ajayi.
It was in collaboration with the New Initiative for Social Development and Campaign for Tobacco-free Kids.
She said, “The rules are designed to ensure full enforcement of the spirit and letters of the law.
“If the area designated for smoking is to be within an enclosed building or a partially enclosed place on any premises, only one such smoking area may be designated.”
The law was enacted by the House of Assembly and assented to by Governor Kayode Fayemi in March 2012.
It restricted smoking to designated areas in an outdoor or open space.
It imposes a fine ranging between N10,000 and N250,000 on offenders, or imprisonment for a term of three to six months, or both.
Ajayi said, “It is important to stress again that the laws, and indeed, the rules are not designed to punish the smokers.
“Rather, they are necessary for the protection of the non-smokers who may be affected by the fumes and diseases caused by second-hand smoke.
“Diseases such as brain tumour, middle ear disease, asthma, leukemia, cancel,madden infant death and so on. These are non-communicable and avoidable diseases, which are predominantly caused by tobacco smoke.”
